10 Best Swan Song Movie Performances

5. Bruce Lee - Enter The Dragon

Warner BrosWarner BrosIf you have to die tragically young, we can't think of a better way to go out than with what is probably one of the greatest martial arts films of all time. At his peak popularity in the early 1970s, he enthralled audiences in both the East and West with his unique style of kung fu. Most martial arts films suffer because, generally speaking, people are either talented martial artists or charismatic actors, but rarely both. Bruce Lee proved that he could fight and act at the same time, in a way that few others could, and Enter the Dragons stands as one of his greatest achievements. He also directed the opening Shaolin Monastery fight sequence, which he believed showcased the beauty of Chinese culture. The film was released on July 26, 1973, a mere six days after Bruce Lee's untimely death at age 32. Officially explained by an allergic reaction to muscle relaxants found in the painkiller Equagesic, his death has spawned several conspiracy theories, including malevolent intervention from the Triads, a Chinese criminal organization, and a curse that had been placed on Lee's family.
Contributor
Contributor

Audrey Fox is an ex-film student, which means that she prefers to spend her days in the dark, watching movies and pondering the director's use of diegetic sound. She currently works as an entertainment writer, joyfully rambling about all things film and television related. Add her on Twitter at @audonamission and check out her film blog at 1001moviesandbeyond.com.